Court dismisses N1 billion lawsuit against Malami and three more

The N1 billion lawsuit against former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami was dismissed by a Kubwa-based Federal Circuit Court High Court.

Ms. Asabe Waziri, a government servant, and the Federal Ministry of Justice and the previous minister’s office were also sued.

Property developer Mr. Cecil Osakwe, of Abuja, filed the lawsuit against the former minister, Waziri, and the other two in his individual capacity.

However, on Thursday, Justice Oluyemisi Adelaja dismissed the case, citing Osakwe’s lack of assiduous prosecution.

The claimant is the one who initiated the action and should be seen actively pursuing it; nevertheless, they are not present in court and have given no explanation for their absence.

Because of their unjustified absence, this matter is ordered to be dismissed in accordance with Order 32 Rule 4 for lack of diligent prosecution. Adelaja gave the command.

Recall that Osakwe was the target of a two-count lawsuit brought by the Federal Government in June 2022, under suit number FCT/HC/CR/244/2022, alleging N130 million in advance fee fraud.

Waziri, an employee of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, was also accused of criminal intimidation in the lawsuit. It claimed that Osakwe had threatened Waziri with harm to her person and reputation with the intention of causing her harm or even death.

Waziri allegedly paid N130 million for a two-bedroom home in Maitama, a posh neighborhood of the Federal Capital Territory, from Osakwe.

After Osakwe was charged on two counts, he went on to sue the former minister of justice and attorney general of the federation.

Waziri and the Federal Ministry of Justice were among the other parties to the lawsuit.

Osakwe requested remedy through his attorney, Mr. Victor Giwa, including a ruling ordering Malami to give him a billion naira in punitive damages.

Additionally, the developer requested an order requiring the defendants to pay him general damages in the amount of one hundred million naira, jointly and severally.